Pentax KX Light Meter - Magnetic Trouble
Posted 10/06/2004 - 21:28
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I've already eliminated the following potentials...
- It's not lens specific. I tried both lenses that previously gave no trouble.
- It's not the batteries. I thought of this at the shop actually, so we pulled out the old batteries and found some corrossion. We cleaned it out and put new batteries in, but no cigar. Nothing different.
- Needles cannot be bent because they are not pushing or dragging...it is definitely reacting like a magnetic-force is pushing it out of the way.
Any ideas?
- It's not lens specific. I tried both lenses that previously gave no trouble.
- It's not the batteries. I thought of this at the shop actually, so we pulled out the old batteries and found some corrossion. We cleaned it out and put new batteries in, but no cigar. Nothing different.
- Needles cannot be bent because they are not pushing or dragging...it is definitely reacting like a magnetic-force is pushing it out of the way.
Any ideas?
Posted 10/06/2004 - 21:56
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Hi Ricky,
I have used a KX for nearly 30 years and not had a problem like it. I can't see how it could be magnetic because the Speed needle is blue plastic. Static could I supoose do it. If the shutter needle is well out of the way, does the meter needle give the right exposure or does it move about then too?
If you can't find an answer, I can suggest a couple of Pentax trained repairers that do a full service for a fixed sum or you could ask them. I am fairly certain Pentax themselves don't support the KX anymore.
Let us know how you get on. I will store it away if it happens to mine!
Regards
Kim
I have used a KX for nearly 30 years and not had a problem like it. I can't see how it could be magnetic because the Speed needle is blue plastic. Static could I supoose do it. If the shutter needle is well out of the way, does the meter needle give the right exposure or does it move about then too?
If you can't find an answer, I can suggest a couple of Pentax trained repairers that do a full service for a fixed sum or you could ask them. I am fairly certain Pentax themselves don't support the KX anymore.
Let us know how you get on. I will store it away if it happens to mine!
Regards
Kim
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2277 posts
24 years
Anyone not familiar with the KX metering system, it goes like this...you have two needles along the right-hand side of the viewfinder, one indicating shutter speed and the other indicating aperture. To find the correct exposure setting, you align the two needles, one on top of the other.
The problem...
I've had this camera for over 2 years. Just today, this problem began. When I attempt to align the shutter speed needle with the aperture needle, the aperture needle moves "out of the way" as if there is some sort of magnetic field pushing it. Therefore forever preventing an accurate exposure reading. It's very much like a trick birthday candle that you can never blow out.
Attempt...
I took to the local camera shop today, and none of the guys had ever seen anything like it. Their camera repair guy said he couldn't fix it. He recommended me to another shop.
Pentax User Site...
Now I am curious to know if anyone else has experienced this problem and knows what causes it, and how to fix it.
Thanks!